Collapsibly supported platform with adjustable tensioning means

ABSTRACT

1,056,195. Exercising apparatus. J. BARTHEL. March 3, 1965 [April 9, 1964; Oct. 1,  1964], No. 9067/65. Heading A6M. A trampoline comprises a mat 10 of plastics material supported from a rope 8 by means of rubber cords 9 and is characterised in that the rope 8 is attached to uprights 1 which are pivoted at 3 to tubular frame members 4, the lower ends of the uprights 1 also being connected by a rope 7 which can be tensioned by a winch 6. The mat rope 8 can be tensioned by a scaled turnbuckle 11. The mat rope 8 can have ropes 9a for a non-resilient support of the mat. The uprights are supported on plugs, spikes, plates or floats.

Dec. 5, 1967 J. BARTHEL COLLAPSIBLY SUPPORTED PLATFORM WITH ADJUSTABLE TENSIONING MEANS F'led April 5, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INYENTO? ToM/v/v AK THEL 31- M amoL W Dec. 5, 1967 J. BARTHEL 3,356,366

COLLAPSIBLY SUPPORTED PLATFORM WITH ADJUSTABLE TENS TONING MEANS Filed April 5, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG? INVENTO?! TOH-ANN Bmzrmel.

3n M0. @440! Mi Dec. 5, 1967 J. BARTHEL 3,356,365

COLLAPSIBLY SUPPORTED PLATFORM fl L1H ADJUSTABLE TENSiONING MEANS Filed April 5, 1965 .4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. /9 [-76.20 FIG. 2/ FIG. 22

IMVENTOR JOIMMV 'BAPTJEL Arm 'RNEY5 Dec. 5, 1967 J. BARTHEL 3,356,366

COLLAPSIBLY SUPPORTED PLATFORM WlTH ADJUSTABLE TENSIONING MEANS Filed April 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 13

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ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,356,366 COLLAPSIBLY SUPPORTED PLATFORM WITH ADJUSTABLE TENSIONING MEANS Johann Barthel, Flughafen Graz-Thalerhof, Post Kalsdorf, Steiermark, Austria Filed Apr. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 445,373 17 Claims. (Cl. 272-65) This invention relates to a gymnastic catapulting device for the use in exercise and gymnastic activities.

Devices known as trampolines are well known devices which propel the user upwards by means of a force exerted by the resiliency of the base. Such trampolines have found wide use in acrobatics, gymnastics and high diving as well as in ordinary exercise and entertainment.

However, the trampolines now in use, are large, heavy and expensive devices. Even when they are collapsed their bulk is such that they can be handled only with a considerable amount of difficulty. The rigid frame of known trampolines presents the user with a constant threat of injury.

The tension of the mat base cannot be adjusted to suit the particular user or particular exercise, as the adjusting apparatus permits only one or two settings in most cases, these settings being made with the aid of hooks. The tension in the numerous springs or rubber cords which carry the mat can be eased during periods of non-use only by unhooking the supporting hooks, a process which is complicated and thus often not performed at all, even though such easing of tension would be of benefit in increasing the useful life of the apparatus.

Various types of steel wire clips or metal plates having undesirably sharp-edge bores have previously been used for securing the mat to the rubber cords and the frame of the trampoline. These securing means have many disadvantages such as their weight, the wearing at the sharp ends, the generation of noise when in use, the time consumed in assembly, the lack of adjustability, etc.

It is an object of this invention to provide a catapult device for use in gymnastics and acrobatics which will provide the same benefits and pleasure to the user as does the trampoline while avoiding all the disadvantages of presently known trampolines as discussed above.

The method of securing the resilient mat to the frame, according to this invention, reduces the weight of the apparatus while increasing the resiliency of the entire structure.

The present invention operates without generating noise and has a longer period of use than do existing trampolines and is more easily disassembled and adjusted. The structure of the present invention also enables the use of rubber cords of different thicknesses which was not possible in the earlier trampolines.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device in which all the disadvantages of existing trampolines, mentioned above, are avoided and which provides better conditions for physical exercise. The gymnastic catapult, according to this invention, may be constructed of steel, aluminum, various alloys or plastics.

The present invention combines simplicity, compactness of size, lightness of weight, etc. and offers the possibility of a large number of combinations and uses. When in use the present invention may have dimensions up to approximately 16 feet by feet, yet it may be collapsed to a size by which it can be readily accommodated in the luggage compartment of an automobile. Thus, it can be readily carried to any training area or camping ground for use thereat.

Alternatively, the gymnastic catapult according to this invention is provided with floats and may be placed on any water surface. Depending on the materials used the gymnastic catapult, herein described, weighs about onethird to one-half as much as a trampoline of corresponding size. The present invention may also be used as a base for a tent.

The tension on the mat may be adjusted to the weight of the user and to the exercise to be performed. It is also possible to relieve all tension in the mat.

On the surface of the mat, a rope frame rather than a steel frame is employed.

It will be appreciated that the novel gymnastic catapult herein described offers many possibilities for physical exercise.

The gymnastic catapult according to this invention, consists of a plastic mat which is connected by rubber cords to a tubular frame which is carried by four uprights. The uprights consist of levers, having arms of unequal length which are mounted on a collapsible tubular frame providing for pivotal movement in the two vertical planes which include the two diagonals of the frame. The uprights are provided at their top ends with hooks, or similar fasteners, for a mat rope forming a rope frame to which the mat is connected by rubber cords. At the other end of these uprights, hooks or similar fasteners are provided for engaging a tension rope which pulls the lower ends of the uprights together and which is operable by a winch mounted on one of the uprights.

A better understanding of this invention may be had from a reference to the specification as read in light of the enclosed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gymnastic catapult showing it in use;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a detail of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6 through 10 are side elevations showing the uprights in the form of pivoted levers;

FIGS. 11 through 18 are top elevational and partial sectional views showing various means for suspending the mat, respective sections for FIGS. 12, 14, 16 and 18 being taken along lines 12-12, etc., in FIGS. 11, 13, 15 and 17;

FIGS. 19 through 24 show means for connecting the ends of the cord.

Referring to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1-5 in particular, a gymnastic catapult is shown comprising a tubular frame 4 which is supported by four uprights 1 upon which a mat 10 of plastic material is resiliently mounted by means of rubber cords 9. The rubber cords 9 are connected to mat rope 8 by clamp 13. According to the invention the uprights consist of levers 1 having unequal arms which are pivotably connected to a collapsible tubular frame 4, which is composed of sections of selected length. The levers 1 are pivotably movable in the vertical planes which contain the two diagonals of the frame. The frame is stiffened by welded corners 5.

At the top ends of the upper, and preferably the shorter lever arm, hooks or similar fasteners are provided securing a mat rope 8 to levers 1 thereby forming a rope frame. The mat 10, preferably made of plastic material, is detaohably secured to this rope by means of the rubber cords 9.

The lower ends of levers 1 are provided with hooks or similar fasteners for engaging thereto a tension rope 7 which exerts a force upon the lower, and preferably longer lever arms, thereby pulling these arms toward each other. This force may be varied by the operation of winch 6 whichis mounted on one of the levers.

Each upright lever 1 is connected to the tubular frame 4 by a turnbuckle 12, to enable an equalization of the deflection of the uprights, and of the tension in the mat.

A turnbuckle 11 is incorporated into mat r-ope 8 so that the tension in the mat rope can be varied. An adjustment scale is provided with the turnbuckle 11.

The plastic mat is preferably made of a nylon woven fabric coated with polyvinylchloride and is provided with perforations therethrough for the reduction of air drag.

The tubular frame 4 which separates the uprights is constructed of replaceable tubes of differing lengths. The upright levers 1 are provided with connecting means which can be threadably engaged thereto for a detachable connection to the foot portion thereof. The foot portion of the unright levers 1 so connected may consist of a plug 16, a steel spike 17, a base plate 18 provided with bores for fastening screws, or a float 21. (See FIGS. 6-10). Float 21 is connected to lever 1, by threaded stud 19 which threadably engages threadable member 20. Member 20 is then screwed to the lower end of lever 1 as shown in FIG. 10. When float 21 is attached to lever 1, the gymnstic catapult may be floated, so that the catapult may be used as an adjunct to water sports.

The components of the catapult, according to this invention, are detachably connected so that the disassembled catapult can be readily transported in the luggage compartment of an ordinary sized automobile. The levers 1 are provided with bores or similar fastening means, so that the levers may be detachably connected to tent poles 14 (see FIG. In this mode of operation, the gymnastic catapult may also be used in the pitching of tents, particularly when the mat has been rendered non-resilient.

The mat rope 8 is optionally provided with ropes 9a for a non-resilient support of the mat 10. The tension of the tension rope 7 may be changed by operation of the winch 6 which is mounted on a lever 1. The operation of the winch causes the lower arm of lever 1 to swing inwardly and the upper arm to swing outwardly around pivots 3 on frame 4 so that the rubber cords 9 suspending the mat are stressed.

The rope 8 is disposed above the frame 4 and constitutes a resilient guard for the frame. The rubber cords 9 and their carrying means, as well as the entire area around the mat 10, are covered with a loose nylon netting 15. The top portions of the levers 1, the mat rope 8 and the other top portions of the gymnastic catapult are upholstered with leather-covered foamed plastic materials, in order to prevent accidents.

The flexible frame herein provided provides for a superiof resiliency of the mat. As a result, the upwardly thrusting force exerted on the user is greater than that found in ordinary trampolines. This increased force enables the user to perform, with greater ease and skill, a series of complicated exercises such as a triple somersault.

Rubber cord 9, by which the mat is twice elastically connected to the mat rope 8, produces a resilient effect because of the material used in the cord and because of its suspension from the mat rope. As shown in FIGS. 11, 13, and 17, the rubber cord 9 forms a U-shaped bend. At its bight, this cord is directly or indirectly hooked into a holder 26 made of plastic material.

FIGS. 11 and 17 show a direct connection between the cord and the holder. FIGS. 13 and 15 show an indirect connection using a looped leather strap 27. The plastic holder may consist of a roller or may consist of a roller 26 having an extension 260 (see FIGS. 17, 18) or a collar 26b (see FIGS. 15, 16). The holder, so provided, carries a strap support in the form of a transverse rod 25, a tube 25a or a similar component, which supports mat 10 extending at right angles thereto.

In the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, a mat strap 10 additionally directly engages the plastic holder 26 or 26a (see FIGS. 13, 14), which is provided with an extension. The two parallel ends of the rubber cord 9 are connected to each other by a connecting plate 23 which extends at right angles to them and is made preferably of a plastic material. This plate 23 has two conical openings (see FIGS. 20 and 21), through which extend the two ends of the cord. These two conical openlngs are parallel to each other and have their narrow faces positioned toward the end of the cord. FIGS. 12, 14, 16 and 18 are respective partial sectional views taken from FIGS. 11, 13, 15 and 17.

A ring 24 (see FIGS. 11 and 22-24), is mounted on the end portion of each cord and is disposed between the conical wall surface of the opening 23 and the cord 9. Ring 24 preferably consists of rubber and has a circular cross section. The tension of the mat pulls the ring into the opening where it is clamped between the conical wall and the cord thereby providing a firm connection. The rubber cord 9 may also be detachably connected to mat =r0pe 8 by hook 22 (see FIG. 11), or detachably connected to the plate 23 by a screw having an end ring 2211 (see FIG. 19), or by a similar fastener.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate other possible means of connecting the ends of the cord 9. In FIG. 23 plate 23a has threadably engageable surfaces so that the plates may be connected to one another to achieve a greater length of cord. In FIG. 24 plate 23b has a hooked portion thereon adapted to directly engage mat rope 8.

The present invention has been shown for purposes of illustration only and described as embodied in certain specific forms. The scope of my invention is not to be limited to the embodiments herein described, but rather by the scope of the claims herein appended.

What is claimed is:

1. A platform and support structure comprising: a tubular frame, four uprights supporting said frame, said upright comprising levers mounted to said tubular frame in a manner permitting pivotal movement in the two vertical planes which include the diagonals of said frame; a mat made of flexible material; a fastener connected to the top end of each of said uprights; a mat rope connected to said fasteners forming a rope frame to which said mat is connected; a plurality of cord-like means connecting said mat to said mat rope; a tension rope connected to the other end of said uprights; and means including a winch mounted on one of said uprights to vary the tension in said tension rope.

2. A platform and support structure according to claim 1 wherein said uprights are connected to said tubular frame by a first turnbuckle and a second turnbuckle provided with a scale incorporated in said mat rope.

3. A platform and support structure according to claim 2 wherein said mat consists of nylon woven fabric coated with polyvinylchloride having perforations therein for the reduction of air drag.

4. A platform and support structure according to claim 3 wherein said tubular frame comprises frame sides comprised of a plurality of telescoping sections.

5. A platform and support structure according to claim 4 wherein said levers are provided with securing means for securing a replaceable mounting means to a foot part thereof, and a replaceable mounting means secured by said securing means.

6. A platform and support structure according to claim 5 wherein said replaceable mounting means comprises a tapered ground engaging portion.

7. A platform and support structure according to claim 5 wherein said replaceable mounting means comprises of a plate having holes therethrough.

8. A platform and support structure according to claim 5 wherein said replaceable mounting means comprises a body of material having a positive buoyancy.

9. A platform and support structure according to claim 1 wherein all the elements therein are readily detachably connected.

10. A platform and support structure according to claim 1 wherein said levers are provided with means for detachably connecting a tent pole thereto.

11. A platform and support structure according to '5 claim 1 wherein said connecting means are resilient, thereby rendering said platform a gymnastic catapult.

12. A platform and support structure according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprise rubber cords which are formed in the shape of a U, and further comprising a plastic holder provided with a strap support extending at right angles thereto; a mat strap connected to said mat and engaged to said holder; a connecting plate having two conical openings having the ends of said cord extending through said openings, a ring mounted on each cord end portion and disposed between said cord and said opening and a fastener to which said connecting plate is detachably connected.

13. A platform and support structure according to claim 12, wherein the bight of said cord is connected by a looped leather strap to said holder.

14. A platform and support structure according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means are covered with a loose nylon netting.

15. A platform and support structure according to claim 1 wherein the upper portions of said levers and said mat rope and other top parts of said catapult are upholstered with a leather covered foam plastic material.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 527,594 10/1894 Dromgoole 182-139 978,447 12./1910 Glawatzky 182-138 3,004,623 10/ 1961 Nissen 272- X 3,047,294 7/1962 Maxwell 272-65 3,116,809 1/1964 Nissen 272-65 X 3,233,895 2/1966 Grelle et al 272-65 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,137,660 10/ 1962 Germany. 1,166,065 3/ 1964 Germany.

724,186 2/ 1955 Great Britain.

937,087 9/ 1963 Great Britain.

ANTON-O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PLATFORM AND SUPPORT STRUCTURE COMPRISING: A TUBULAR FRAME, FOUR UPRIGHTS SUPPORTING SAIF FRAME, SAID UPRIGHT COMPRISING LEVERS MOUNTED TO SAID TUBULAR FRAME IN A MANNER PERMITTING PIVOTAL MOVEMENT IN THE TWO VERTICAL PLANES WHICH INCLUDE THE DIAGONALS OFF SAID FRAME; A MAT MADE OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL; A FASTENER CONNECTED TO THE TOP END OF EACH OF SAID UPRIGHTS; A MAT ROPE CONNECTED TO SAID FASTENERS FORMING A ROPE FRAME TO WHICH SAID MAT IS CONNECTED; A PLURALITY OF CORD-LIKE MEANS CONNECTED SAID MAT TO SAID MAT ROPE; A TENSION ROPE CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END OF SAID UPRIGHTS; AND MEANS INCLUDING A WINCH MOUNTED ON ONE OF SAID UPRIGHTS TO VARY THE TENSION IN SAID TENSION ROPE. 